Programs to Address Personalization and Student Support at Preston High School :

“Check & Connect” and

“New Technology High School”

A school’s job is to know each student well and to provide the right measures of challenge and support so that academic and social growth occurs.

In the spring of 2009, the Office of Education Performance Audits for the state of West Virginia identified “Personalization and Student Support” as an area where improvement was needed at Preston High School.

In response to the OEPA Report, the Preston High School Improvement Council began looking at research proven programs that addressed personalization and support.

Why Personalization and Student Support?

Factors that Affect Personalization and Student Support

DISADVANTAGES ADVANTAGES

1400 students in grades 9-12 in a county of over 750 square miles

Transition from six small middle schools to one consolidated high school

Block scheduling (only are in contact with students for one semester)

Loss of 9th Grade Wing to Central Preston MS

Three guidance counselors for 1400 students

85 % graduation rate (below state average)

Static staff (most teachers have been teaching at PHS for a number of years and know many of the families)

The development of the LINKS program

Use of Parent Link and Edline Vocational Wing Fine Arts Wing Counselor and Principal

Assignment to Each Student

CHECK & CONNECT

* Check & Connect is a dropout prevention strategy that relies on close monitoring of school performance, as well as mentoring, case management, and other supports.

The program has two main components: “Check” and “Connect.” The Check component is designed to continually assess student engagement through close monitoring of student performance and progress indicators. The Connect component involves program staff giving individualized attention to students, in partnership with school personnel, family members, and community service providers.

Students enrolled in Check & Connect are assigned a “monitor” who regularly reviews their performance (in particular, whether students are having attendance, behavior, or academic problems) and intervenes when problems are identified. The monitor also advocates for students, coordinates services, provides ongoing feedback and encouragement, and emphasizes the importance of staying in school.

* from the US Department of Education - What Works Clearinghouse Website: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/pdf/WWC_Check_Connect_092106.pdf

NOTE: Research and the effectiveness of the program can be viewed at the above link.

Programs to Address Personalization and Student Support

Necessary Modifications at Preston High

At Preston High School we have approximately 75 students that have been identified as having learning, emotional, or behavioral disabilities. Ironically, this is slightly less that the number of teachers we have on staff.

The plan is to merge “Check & Connect” with the existing LINKS program that deals with student personalization. As an extension of our pre-existing LINKS program which deals with looping of students, teachers could be assigned one student under the guidelines of the Check and Connect program.

Looping is the practice of keeping students with the same teachers for

several years. In essence, teachers act as an advisor and confidant for students throughout their high school career. By merging these two programs together, the entire student body would receive services. Those students with learning, emotional, or behavioral disabilities would simply receive more extensive attention.

CHECK & CONNECT

TALENT DEVELOPMENT HIGH SCHOOLS

* Talent Development High Schools is a school reform model for restructuring large high schools with persistent attendance and discipline problems, poor student achievement, and high dropout rates. The model includes both structural and curriculum reforms.

It calls for schools to reorganize into small "learning communities"—including ninth-grade academies for first-year students and career academies for students in upper grades—to reduce student isolation and anonymity. It also emphasizes high academic standards and provides all students with a college-preparatory academic

* from the US Department of Education - What Works Clearinghouse Website:

http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/pdf/WWC_Talent_Development_071607.pdf

NOTE: Research and the effectiveness of the program can be

viewed at the above link.

Programs to Address Personalization and Student Support

Necessary Modifications at Preston High When Central Preston Middle School moves into their new school,

the former 9th Grade Academy will be re-established. This will cause several teachers to move and may case some to be reassigned.

The “Old” Academic Center concept will be re-established. The majority of college-prep / AP science and math classes are still in the Academic Center wing. Foreign language, English, and history will need to be relocated. Distance learning will also be in this wing / department

Assistant principals / lead teachers will oversee the following departments: 9th Grade Academy, Fine Arts, Vocational, Academic Center / General Education

TALENT DEVELOPMENT HIGH SCHOOLS